Book Club – this month’s reads
Friday, 13 June 2025 Books+Publishing @booksandpublishing
Looking for your next great group read? Our monthly Book Club rounds up new release titles that are perfect for sparking conversation and perhaps even some debate. From compelling fiction to thought-provoking nonfiction, these are some of the books releasing this month that are worth stocking and recommending to readers.
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Big Feelings Amy Lovatt Macmillan ISBN 9781761263743 RRP $34.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘Big Feelings is perfect for book clubs. Sadie Thomas is obsessed with love stories and whether hers stacks up. With a strong dose of Main Character Energy and relatable neuroticism, this anti-romantic comedy will leave book clubbers debating Sadie’s self-sabotage versus the ‘meant-to-be’ narrative, and trying to catch all the rom-com references and tropes throughout the book (both sent up and those utterly embraced). It’s funny, messy and clever, and the most romantic break-up story you will ever read.’ – Grace Carter, Macmillan | |
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He Would Never Holly Wainwright Macmillan ISBN 9781761264849 RRP $34.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘A brilliant suburban social dilemma: what do you do with the narcissist in your midst? A great pick for book clubs with its mix of suspense, friendship dynamics, and parenting struggles. Set over a camping trip where long-time friends start to question what they really know about each other, it’s the kind of story that invites plenty of conversation about trust, loyalty and the choices people make behind closed doors.’ – Grace Carter, Macmillan | |
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The Name of the Sister Gail Jones Text ISBN 9781922178541 RRP $29.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘The arrival of a mysterious young woman sets off an unstoppable chain of events in this spellbinding novel from one of Australia’s greatest literary writers. Book clubs will love its unputdownable narrative and the carefully crafted mystery at its core. It explores identity and history – and how both multiply in the absence of facts – culminating in a breathtakingly urgent finale full of contradictory clues.’ – Madeleine Gerber, Text | |
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Our New Gods Thomas Vowles UQP ISBN 9780702268939 RRP $34.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘A bold, unsettling psychological thriller set in Melbourne’s queer scene, Our New Gods is a page-turner that asks provocative questions about the darker aspects of human nature and the pursuit of love. It will generate heated discussions in book clubs, especially about the nature of trust and desire.’ – Jean Smith, UQP | |
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Rytual Chloe Elizabeth Wilson Penguin ISBN 9781761346699 RRP $34.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘A captivating and darkly humorous exploration of the beauty industry’s seductive allure and hidden perils, as Marnie navigates the enigmatic world of rytuał cosmetica. With sharp wit and gripping suspense, this novel masterfully dissects themes of identity, power, and desire, making it a great pick for book club discussions.’ – Rebecca Bluff, PRH | |
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The Secret Year of Zara Holt Kimberley Freeman Hachette ISBN 9780733633560 RRP $32.99 |
| Why book clubs will love it: ‘A perfect book club book; this novel is inspired by the fascinating life of fashion designer and businesswoman Dame Zara Bates (whose husband, former prime minister Harold Holt, drowned while in office). It is a richly imagined story of fashion, passion, love, and loss that takes us from the 1930s to the late 1960s, spanning Melbourne, India, Europe, London, Canberra, Sydney, and Far North Queensland. Perfect for readers of Kate Morton and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.’ – Vanessa Radnidge, Head of Narrative Non-Fiction and Literary at Hachette Australia | |
